The Plan of Salvation: Hear I. Introduction A. Let us spend some time reviewing some of the fundamentals of the faith 1. 2 Peter 3:1-2: it is good to be stirred up in remembrance of the truths of the faith 2. We can reinforce our understanding of the truth 3. Perhaps some "gaps" in our understanding of the basics of the faith will be filled B. To this end, let us first examine the "plan of salvation" 1. We can see, from the Scriptures, the need for all to hear, believe, confess, repent, be baptized, and be obedient 2. In time we will go over every part of the plan C. Let us begin today by examining the beginning of the plan: hear II. Hearing the Gospel A. Romans 10:14-15, 17 1. Faith, which is instrumental in salvation (cf. Romans 3:21ff, James 2:14-26), comes from "hearing" 2. As Paul establishes, one cannot believe unless they have heard concerning that which they are to believe! B. It is imperative, then, that those who would desire to be saved need to hear the Gospel! C. The Importance of Hearing 1. It ought not be too surprising that emphasis is placed on the need for hearing 2. In the ancient world, really any time before the Industrial Revolution, literacy rates were very low a. the consensus estimate is that, at most, 10% of the population was "literate" b. by "literate" we mean that they could sign their name (somewhat) and read basic texts c. Only perhaps 2% or so of the population would have been well-versed in reading and writing 3. With such low literacy rates, the presentation of the truth by speaking was absolutely essential! a. people were, of course, more attuned to hear b. all texts in Hebrew and Greek were in fact designed to be read orally, even if "read to oneself" c. hence 1 Timothy 3:14: give attention to the public reading of Scripture; it was the only way that the majority of people would ever get to know God's word! 4. Even with higher literacy rates today, people still need to hear the Gospel a. It is always possible, of course, for someone to pick up a Bible and study his way to the truth without any form of external instruction b. in practice, however, this is rare: more often than not, people's interest must be stimulated, and some form of instruction from the Scriptures must be given c. The question of the eunuch ends up being the question of many a seeker: how can I [understand what I'm reading] unless someone guides me? (Acts 8:30-31) d. consider yourselves, especially those of you who did not "grow up in the church": did you have to hear the Gospel in some form before you obeyed? 5. The exhortation to hear the Gospel, then, need not be understood metaphorically or considered outmoded: people still need to hear the Gospel and to help them understand what they can read in the Scriptures III. Hearing Requires Preaching A. As Paul asks in Romans 10:14, how can they hear without someone preaching? B. The need to hear is the one part of the plan of salvation which depends more on someone else-- the one who would preach the message-- than the one receiving the message C. Furthermore, the need to preach is seminal: without the preaching, there can be no hearing; without the hearing, there cannot be belief and obedience D. Without preaching there can be no new Christians! E. This setup was established in the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:19-25) 1. Consider what is odd to the world 2. You have the event that is, in truth, the turning-point of history, the death of Jesus the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God, for the remission of sin, and His resurrection on the third day 3. God could have easily produced the message with His booming voice throughout the whole world 4. He could have written it clearly on the creation 5. Instead, it was established that the message would be presented by twelve inspired Apostles (Acts 2) 6. They went out and converted thousands, and those thousands went out presenting the message to others 7. Within 35 years, it could be said that the message had gone out throughout the world (Colossians 1:6) 8. Even with the benefit of the written Word, we still see preaching of the Gospel as the primary means of its presentation and the conversion of souls F. It is imperative, then, that the message is preached, so that it can be heard and souls can be saved IV. Preaching Requires "Preachers" A. In Romans 10:15, Paul presents the question, "how are they to preach unless they are sent?" 1. It is good to ask: who are those sent to preach? 2. Who are "they"? B. Are full-time evangelists sent to preach? Absolutely! 1. "Evangelist" comes ultimately from the Greek euangelion, "good news," or, "Gospel" (Ephesians 4:11) 2. Their work, then, manifestly involves the preaching of the Gospel C. Yet are full-time evangelists the only ones sent to preach the Gospel? 1. 1 Peter 2:9 2. All Christians are a chosen people, a royal nation, so as to proclaim His excellencies! 3. All of us who have put on Christ, in truth, have been sent out into the world to proclaim the Gospel! D. It is upon all of us, therefore, as we are able, to proclaim the good news of God to those who need to hear it! V. Opportunities to Preach A. It can well be asked, "at what points are we to present this message"? B. Let us examine examples of preaching in the New Testament C. A residence: Acts 2, Acts 5:42 1. The Apostles were "gathered together in one place" somewhere in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1) 2. The sound of the Apostles speaking in tongues piqued the interest of the Jews having assembled for Pentecost, who then heard the Gospel (Acts 2:5-36) D. The Temple: Acts 3 1. Peter and John use a healing in the Temple as an opportunity to present the message E. Before the Sanhedrin: Acts 4, 5, 7 F. Synagogues: Acts 6:9-11, 9:20, 13:14-17 G. Itinerant preaching through cities: Acts 8:4-5 H. Preaching to those studying: Acts 8:29-38 I. Refutation of false prophets: Acts 13:8-12 J. Places of prayer: Acts 16:13-14 K. Singing in prison: Acts 16:24-30 L. Marketplace/speaking area: Acts 17:16-21 M. Private instruction: Acts 18:26 N. Discussion with disciples: Acts 19:1-7 O. Collection of angry people: Acts 22:1-21 P. Rulers: Acts 24-25 Q. We can see, then, that the message was preached to all kinds of people at many opportunities 1. There was no partiality in who was preached to 2. They would preach in houses, in synagogues, etc. 3. The message would be consciously tailored to fit the audience R. Whenever we have opportunity, then, let us present the Gospel to those who need to hear it VI. Conclusion A. We have seen that it is imperative to hear the Gospel in order to believe it and to obey it B. For people to hear the Gospel, there must be someone to speak it-- preach it-- to them C. For there to be preachers, there need to be people sent to deliver the message-- and such can be those who do so full-time, but really anyone who professes Christ is called upon to do so D. The New Testament shows us that the message is to be presented at every opportunity without partiality E. Let us strive to give those with whom we are in contact the opportunity to hear the Gospel F. Invitation/songbook G. If you are here today, and you have not obeyed the Gospel, it is imperative that you hear this message and obey it 1. Christ has died for your sins, and through belief, confession, repentance, baptism, and obedience, you can have association with Him and have eternal life 2. Lack of obedience to the Gospel leads to condemnation-- change today! H. Perhaps you have obeyed the message, but have not lived according to the Gospel, or simply require encouragement to continue to be the Christian you ought to be I. However we can help you, please allow us to do so; come to the front as we stand and sing